Travel Guide to Potrero Beach, Costa Rica

Purr Vida Lounge

Discover a new way to welcome your adorable kitten. Join us for a lovely time, connecting and choosing the perfect companion! Enjoy tea with our lovely rescue kittens, all eagerly awaiting a loving home! Meet adorable rescue kittens, relax during tea time, and who knows, you might just find a furry friend to bring home. I have not visited this cafe. They do have cats for adoption and Saturday Cat Yoga. It is about 15 minutes from Potrero. For more information or for reservations, visit their website. Make Reservations on the Website Visit Facebook Page

Shell Adventures

This tour company is at Playa Brasilito, about 4-5 miles from our condo. The specialize in ATV, Jetskis, and ziplining. Check out their website

Gritanga in Surf Side Costa Rica

Gritanga is a food truck by the Potrero Brewery across from Las Perlas in Surf Side Costa Rica. It is a good kind of fast food taco place. These are Nicaragua food tacos, not Mexican. Location: Route 911 El Garden,Potrero Costa Rica Open 12 noon till 8:30pmClosed Tuesdays Gritanga on Instagram Listing on Trip Advisor Listing on Happy Cow We have tried their quesadillas, brisket tacos, chicken tacos and Guacamole and Chips. We enjoyed it all except the chicken tacos, which were a bit dry. Another place for delicious tacos in Potrero is Repartios https://youtu.be/0E2xx7z22WA Surfside is a charming and popular vacation and residential community located in Playa Potrero, on the Pacific Gold Coast of the Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. It is known for offering a relaxed, “Pura Vida” lifestyle, with easy access to beautiful beaches and a thriving expatriate community. Here are the key details about Surfside: Location and Vibe Part of Playa Potrero: Surfside, formerly known as Surfside Estates, makes up the southern outskirts of the town of Potrero. Beaches: It is situated on Potrero Bay. The local beach, Playa Potrero, has dark sand mixed with coral sands. The bay is sheltered, making the water generally calm and excellent for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking. It’s also famous for year-round Pacific sunsets. Community: It’s a small, accessible residential development popular with expats, featuring a mix of affordable rentals, condos, and luxury homes, many within walking distance of the beach and local amenities. The streets are generally quiet and lined with towering Guanacaste trees. Pura Vida: The lifestyle is very relaxed and slow-paced, celebrating the Costa Rican philosophy of “Pure Life.” Many friendly locals and businesses speak English. Things to Do and Amenities Dining and Shopping: Surfside has a lively, small main street packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and tour agencies. Nearby Beaches: It serves as a great home base for exploring other famous Guanacaste beaches, including: Playa Flamingo: Just five minutes south, known for its fine white sand and the new Marina Flamingo. Playa Penca: Separated from Playa Potrero by a mountain jutting into the ocean. Playa Prieta: A lesser-known beach with light tan sand, clear water, and good shade, perfect for swimming and boogie boarding. Playa Conchal & Playa Brasilito. Activities: The area offers a variety of excursions, including boat rides along the coastline, tours to the Catalina or Bat Islands for diving and snorkeling, horseback riding, and sport fishing from the new Flamingo Marina. Real Estate: The area is a growing real estate market, with beachfront estates, luxury homes, and commercial properties. Climate Temperature: The average annual temperature is around 80.3°F (26.8°C). Rainy Season: The rainy season (or “green season”) lasts from May through October, but Guanacaste experiences a lighter version of it compared to the rest of Costa Rica. September and October see the heaviest downpours.

Beach Community Church

We are church goers, we love this church. It is non-denominational, every one is very friendly. Music is usually really good too. This church is about 30 minutes from our house. Here is their website – Beach Community church.

QM2 Boat Tours

All Types of boat tours with QM2 Visit Website

Discover Tempate Tour

Do you prefer to stroll on foot? Or to ride on horseback? The Discover Tempate tour now is offered twice per day! Only a 15-minute drive from Potrero. Walking tour starts at 9am. Horseback tour starts at 2pm. Includes a two-hour guided tour of the rich history and breathtaking natural beauty of this unique area. See 100-year-old houses made from pochote wood and meet some of the interesting people whose families have lived in Tempate for centuries. Learn about the majestic trees and fascinating animals found in the cool, shady microclimate of the crystal clear creek that meanders through Tempate. Discover the culinary and medicinal uses of a wide variety of plants that grow wild in Tempate. Refreshments also are included. Enjoy the delicious taste of locally grown seasonal fruit and juices served under a canopy in the forest. Walking Tour — $35 per person (maximum 6 people) Horseback Tour — $65 per person (maximum 4 people) Make your reservation by calling or texting Juan Carlos Goñi at +506.6273.7155 via Whatsapp. Advance payment via Paypal to ingles4ticos@gmail.com. Proceeds benefit cat and dog rescue efforts in Tempate. Please feel free to call or text for additional info. We look forward to hearing from you! Tempate is a small pueblo that’s rich in history and natural beauty. This easy walking tour explores the fascinating past, present and future of rural Guanacaste. Discover Tempate Walking Tour Facebook Page

Planet Dolphin Flamingo

Come on board as we cruise in search for dolphins, migratory humpback whales, sea turtles, and manta rays, on our FLAMILY FUN FILLED ADVENTURE As we make our way down the coastline of the Pacific Ocean in Guanacaste, you can admire the majestic islands and pristine beaches. Our guides will be ready to answer any questions you may have while giving a brief history of the area. During the tour you can enjoy delicious tropical beverages, fresh fruits and snacks. After touring the coast, we will anchor in a special area to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving off our second story jump platform, and don’t forget the adrenaline filled ride down the famous Tsunami waterslide in the warm clear Pacific waters. Go to Website

Castillo de Lilo

My husband and I visited this Castle for my husband’s 60th Birthday in March. We arrived in evening around 4:30pm. Upon arrival you get a glass of champagne and you hang out for a bit to view the beautiful region of Guanacaste. They take you for a tour of the Castle then to an area on the 3rd floor where you are free to watch the sunset. In Costa Rica the sun sets about 6pm every night. Another drink is included per person and an appetizer. After the sunset you here all about the Castle, why it is there, who built it. Such in interesting story. It reminds me of the Taj Mahal. Every dinner group get a separate area to dine. And you get to choose what you want ahead of time. I choose the filet mignon, it was cooked to perfection. My husband choose a curry Mahi Mahi. They also include more appetizers and a dessert. The meal was just perfection. This tour is pricey, $150 a person, but the food is seriously delicious. The story is interesting. To me it is a restaurant/tour. It takes about 4 hours for the whole experience. For a special event, I highly recommend this. Castillo de Lilo Website – Book a Tour

Playa Azucar

This somewhat remote, rocky beach is on the way to Las Catalinas. It is a pretty beach to walk along, there is not a lot of sand. You have to park on the road and walk down to this beach to get to it. There are a lot of walking trails around this beach.

Tamarindo Night Walk

Protected forest reserve Multilingual guides Headlamps provided 15 min from Tamarindo Transport provided (extra cost) Pick-up at our office Schedule: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Check out their Website

Bacalao Films

Family or Couple photo shoot. We’re a husband and wife team specializing in wedding photography and videography. We love capturing those natural, candid moments that make your day truly unique. Our real passion lies in outdoor weddings surrounded by the beauty of nature, using the natural backdrop to create breathtaking shots that reflect the essence of your special day. Website

Las Catalinas

This is a cool little town to visit. About 2 miles from our condo. It looks like an Italian Village. Here you can go out to eat, take an exercise class, go kayaking, biking, paddle boarding, walk around the village, visit Dante beach. Check their website here

The Congo Trail Ziplining

Ziplining is not my thing, it was a little to high for me. But if you like ziplining, this one is really close to the condo. It will take you maybe an hour to go through all the ziplines, there were about 10 lines. It is a 30min drive up the monkey trail. Here is the link for the Congo Trail You can also book from Flamingo Tours

Learn How to Surf and Other Tours – Tuanis Adventures

This adventure is managed by our good friend and realtor Marco Sanchez. He has been surfing for years and knows the area well. Fun is priority number one. Whether you are seeking to learn to surf, explore volcanoes and mountains, or enjoy some food and nightlife, We are here to provide smiles through it all. Guided by the beautiful people of Pura Vida, we appreciate every opportunity to connect, to tour, and to experience together. Check out his Website

Woodstock Burgers Surf Side

Meet one of the owners (above) of Woodstock Burgers in Surf Side, Potrero, Costa Rica. Her and her husband founded this restaurant. He wanted to name it after Woodstock, the famous festival in the 1960’s since he was not able to go to it and always wanted to. She found Woodstock is also a bird from Peanuts. Having been trained as a chef in Europe, she is a fantastic cook. She also started Carpe Diem, a breakfast restaurant also in Potrero. With the help of another family member, they founded this burger place. These burgers are absolutely delicious! One of the cooks, who is also family, actually studied how to make the proper burger from YouTube. He got it right proving you can learn how to do pretty much anything on Youtube.

Hideaway Horse Riding

Our horseback riding lessons offer an unparalleled experience that combines the thrill of riding with an in-depth understanding of these majestic creatures. At our stables, we don’t just teach you how to ride a horse – we immerse you in the world of equine knowledge, care, and horsemanship. Our lessons are designed for beginners and more seasoned riders alike, focusing on building a strong foundation in horse care, safety, and correct riding techniques. No matter how much we know, there is always more to learn! Discover the unforgettable power of building a bond with our gentle four-legged friends. Our instructor will guide you through the art of grooming, tacking, and understanding equine behavior, fostering a connection that goes beyond the saddle. We take pride in the well-being of our horses, and it reflects in the quality and care of our lessons. Our equine partners offer a safe and supportive learning environment for riders of all levels. Join our vibrant equestrian community and forge lasting friendships with fellow riders who share your passion. As you learn the art of riding, you’ll also develop valuable life skills such as patience, empathy, compassion, and self-control. Sign up for your first lesson today, and let’s begin your equestrian adventure! Horseback riding tours coming soon! Many have asked, and we are happy to announce we will soon be doing tours in and around Playa Potrero! WhatsApp us today for more info! +506 8800 1508 While we wish we could assist everyone, please remember that this is still a work in progress and, as such, we might not be able to accommodate everyone at this time Check out the Facebook Page

Massage Orfa

Looking for a masseuse to come to the condo? Or you can get a massage at Flamingo Beach. I have not tried Orfa, but I did have a renter that did and loved their service. Check out their information on TripAdvisor

Tandoor in Surf Side

We love Indian food, this restaurant, Tandoor, is about a 10 minute drive from our condo in Surf Side. We always try to come here whenever we are in town. I just love their Butter chicken, their paypaya, mango salad, garlic naan bread and the free sauces they give you. Everything is so delicious and fresh tasting. Nothing is over spicy, unless you ask for it to be. Happy hour is noon-5pm. There is a pool you can swim in. I like the ambiance of that restaurant. It has changed hands a few times. Unfortunately there is no beach view, but you will not get wet in the rain. They have a really extensive menu that you can check out at their website. Also, they have 3 locations in Costa Rica. Reviews on Trip Advisor Tandoor Website

Rent a Golf Cart Costa Rica

Need a golf cart – Renting a golf cart with us is easy! We deliver and pick up the cart and we’re always accessible. Reservations highly recommended months in advance for Dec through July. We rent carts in Flamingo, Brasilito, Reserva Conchal,Surfside and Potrero. We do not rent carts in Tamarindo, Las Catalinas, Playa Grande or Playa Coco.It’s important to include your rental location or name of the rental on the form.Cash payment due upon delivery for the rental . Website for Golf Cart Rental They also have a tour page

Ricardo Tours Costa Rica

This tour company is very close to our condo in Potrero. They have the following tours – ATV, Jetskis, buggy rides, horseback riding, catamaran tours, days tours to Rincon de la Vieja, kayaking, sun shade tents, fishing tours Check out Ricado Tours online

Diamante Adventure Park

We have not been to Diamante, but we hear lots of good things about it. You can zipline there, ATV, wildlife sanctuary and horseback riding here. You can book an excursion here at Diamante Adventure Park.

Reparito House in Potrero Costa Rica

Tne Reparito House in Potrero Costa Rica is right behind Casa Del Sol Resort, where our Beach Condo is located. It is known for delicious Mexican food made from the owner’s mother’s recipes. Food like the owner’s Mother used to make. Trip Advisor Reviews Check out their FaceBook Page Check out their Website Don’t go on Wednesdays, it is not open. Their hours are noon until 8pm. Our favorite foods there is the bowl, I like to add the steak. My husband craves the tacos with a fried cheese shell, super delicious! To drink, the Kombuchas are good and the Sangria with wine, sprite, and pineapple is light and refreshing. The litre will get you 4 glasses. Outside there is also a free book library – bring a book, take a book. Another similar Mexican restaurant in Surf Side is Gritanga. It is a food truck by Potrero Brewery.

Costa Rica Sailing Center

Here you can go sailing, rent: kayak, Paddle Board, snorkel equipment, fishing equipment. We have been to Heminways next door, food is good. Go watch a sunset here and have dinner. Check out their website

Gracia at Mar Vista

Gracia at Mar Vista is one of our favorite restaurants in the Flamingo area. Not only is the food delicious, but it boasts one of the most beautiful sunset views. From our condo drive South on 911 to 180, it is about 4 miles away, just a little past Flamingo. Bring your bathing suit and towel, relax at their infinity pool after lunch or before dinner, or just hang out and enjoy a drink at their swim up bar. You will need to make dinner reservations, they start at 5pm. Make a reservation on WhatsApp – 506-6110-1687, or through their website – RESERVE FOR GRACIA. Gracia is open Monday – Sunday from 12:00pm until their last seating at 8:30pm. Our experience from March 2025: We arrived around 4pm, an hour before our dinner reservation at 5pm. We ordered a drink at the pool bar and met some new friends from Canada in the pool. There are plenty of friendly people to talk to from Costa Rica or traveling to the area from all over the World. For dinner, I had the Steak Diane, my husband had the Seabass, both entree items we highly recommend. Our dinner friends had the steak as well, and the tuna plate. Another dinner couple enjoyed small plate tapas. Finishing our dining experience we enjoyed a key lime pie and our friends had a pecan pie, their favorite.

Playa Danta

This black sand beach is located by Las Catalinas. It is a beautiful beach. You will need to drive up the hill to Las Catalinas, park and walk to the beach. It is probably the only beach around with public bathrooms. Las Catalinas is modeled after an Italian village, so pretty to walk through. The restaurants are very good there too.

La Muralla

This is a new grocery store in walking distance to our condo. Just right across from the soccer field, make a right. Store is nice and clean. They have so much stuff, like an American store. They even have a little liquor store, hardware store, and beach necessities. There are even bathrooms outside and plenty of parking. Prices are reasonable too.

Lazy Lizard Boat Tour

This is a fun excursion. We did the sunset tour, you get a late lunch of tacos, all you can drink and they take you out to a nice snorkel/beach/swim spot. And you get to set the sunset on the way back. You can book from Lazy Lizard.

Playa Prieta

You can walk to Playa Prieta from our condo. We often like to take a morning walk to this beach from Playa Penca. Go to the end of Playa Penca, there is a path that leads to Playa Prieta. Locals love this beach. It is usually as quiet as Playa Penca, both beaches are similar.

Sights and Sounds Costa Rica Travel Guide

Here is another Travel Guide to check out for Costa Rica Destinations. Visit Sights and Sounds

Flamingo Fitness Gym

Looking for a workout? This fitness center is maybe 2 miles from our condo. Check out their website

Playa Brasilito

Playa Brasilito is maybe 5 miles from our condo. It is an okay beach. Usually you just walk here and go to Playa Conchal. There is horseback riding on Playa Brasilito. I would not recommend bringing any valuables to this beach, we did have a client get an IPhone stolen on this beach.

Hook’d Sport Fishing

Experience the thrill of deep sea fishing in the beautiful waters of Playa Flamingo. Book your charter today and let’s set sail on an adventure you’ll never forget. This activity is about 2 miles from our condo. Check out their Website

Me Gusta Pizzeria

Me Gusta Pizza is right behind Casa Del Sol. The owners are relatively new, from January 2025. They kept the same taste and menu as the last owners. This pizza is delicious, like they make in Italian style; thin, foldable, with a thick crust. We tried just sausage pizza. I must admit their sausage is unique, we really liked it. We also had a caprese salad, it was okay, the tomatoes were not quite ripe. Pizza cost about 7000 colones (about $14), salad about $12. A glass a wine is about $7. The Friday night we went they had a real good singer/song writer play. He had a bit of a following.

Forketta

Craving Italian food, try Forketta. It does not open until 5pm. I like to get the lasagna. It is usually crowded at night. It is close driving distance to the condo, maybe 1.5 miles.

Playa Potrero

Playa Potrero is a fisherman beach. You can go there to watch people fish or even catch your own fish. We like to go to Las Brisas to eat and watch the fishermen. It is walking distance to our condo, about 200 meters. It is nice to walk down this beach in the morning. And on low tide days, you can easily walk to Hemingways. It would be about a mile walk up the beach. I probably would not go there to swim, it is not as clean as Playa Penca or Playa Prieta.

Playa Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo is about a 40 minute drive from our condo. This is where people like to surf. This is a busy, touristy beach. You will have a lot of people trying to sell you things on this beach. Tamarindo is a fun place to go and eat, there are many delicious restaurants there. Lots of nice souvenir stores too. You will have to pay to park. Local people usually as about $3 for parking. They will watch your car and make sure it is safe.

Hotel Bahia Del Sol Beach Club Happy Hour

They have delicious Happy Hour drinks here, buy one, get one free. About 2 miles from our condo, by Hemingways. I got the mango one, well 2, you get 2 for one.

ATV Riding – Flamingo Tours

We did a combo ATV beach tour/Zip lining. You can book from here Flamingo Tours.

Heladeria Italiana

Yum Gelato, and right across from our Condo complex! Super delicious, lots of flavors to choose from. Perfect after a hot day of hanging at the beach. We always like to get our Gelato at night on our way to watch the sunset. I am currently working my way through all the flavors. I have not decided on my favorite flavor, they are all so good!

Las Brisas Potrero Restaurante Bar

Right down the street from our Condo unit. Great place to sit and sip a Margarita, have a delicious freshly caught fish dinner and enjoy the breeze and sunset.

Playa Conchal

This beach, I hear, is good for snorkeling. It is maybe 5-6 miles from our condo. We have been only once before. We had to park in Brasilito and walk to the beach. You have to walk over this little hill to get there. There were a lot of locals there. It is a good place to buy a coconut or pineapple drink I found the sand really rough and hard to walk on. I think people like that beach to float in the water, there are not high waves there.

Center of Joy

Yoga classes, Massages, Sound Therapy and more. Center of Joy offers a wide range of healers and teachers with spiritual, medical, and holistic training from around the world. Each one brings their singular wisdom to help you discover whole new worlds within yourself. Weekly Class Schedule

Playa Penca

Gorgeous beach at the end of a dirt road. Don’t miss the sunset at about 6pm every night. Beautiful each night. There is not much shade, a bit. Bring a shade tent if you have one.

Playa Flamingo

This beach is renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts. It is about 2-3 miles from our condo. It is a beautiful, long beach. Very touristy, here you can find trinkets to buy and get a massage on the beach. Coco Loco is a restaurant on the beach. We like to go there, eat, and watch the sunset. The food is delicious.

Beach House

A must do on our trips to Potrero is the Beach house. We like to go for happy hour and stay for the sunset. They have delicious grilled fish there. This restaurant is in Surf Side about 2 miles from our condo. The view is beautiful over looking the Flamingo Marina. The Beach House Website . Formerly a private residence, The Beach House has been transformed into a quaint restaurant and bar, renown for its fresh Seafood and equally excellent American fare. Located directly on Playa Potrero, The Beach House offers awesome daytime and nighttime views of the Pacific Ocean, interrupted only by some of the most spectacular sunsets the area has to offer. Open daily 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Nicole Pacific Horses

We have a passion for horses and will be so glad to share it with you ! You will feel safe and will love the experience. Please check our reviews on TripAdvisor to see that we are taking a special care of our customers and horses. We are only 25 minutes from Playa Tamarindo and 5 minutes from Playa Flamingo. We can help you organizing a picking up if you need. We hope to see you very soon riding with Pacific Horses ! Check out their website

Wishing I Was Fishing Adventures

At Wishing I Was Fishing Adventures, we are a premier private charter service that provides exceptional fishing experiences to our clients. We are proud to announce that we are now operating out of the new Marina Flamingo, a world-class marina located in one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure or a peaceful getaway, we’ve got you covered. Come and experience the beauty and excitement of Costa Rica’s finest adventure with Wishing I Was Fishing Adventures. We guarantee that your time with us will be an unforgettable experience! Visit the Website

Coco Loco

Coco Loco is a restaurant on Flamingo beach. It is a bit pricey, but pretty good. Be sure to get the coconut drink, yum.

Fish Tale2

Are you ready to reel in the adventure of a lifetime in the stunning Pelagic waters of Costa Rica? At Fish Tale 2, we’re here to make it happen. We offer a one-of-a-kind, luxury-infused experience for your Costa Rican vacation. Whether you’re seeking thrilling sport fishing charters, exquisite accommodations, or unforgettable bill fishing adventures, our dedicated team is poised to assist you in crafting your dream vacation. Get ready to set the hook on your unforgettable Costa Rican Fish Tale 2! Let Us Hook You Up! Visit Website

Playa Coco

Coco Beach is probably about an hour-90 min. drive away. Depends on if you drive the monkey road or not. It used to be the “IT” place to go in Costa Rica. It is nice, lot of restaurants there and shopping.